Updated pic: 10 week old RIR

[EllyMac]

So I posted a few weeks ago and I wanted updated opinions about my supposed to be pullet Rhode Island Red. What do y’all think? Pullet or cockerel? I will say we have one buff Orpington roo (was supposed to be all pullets) that is clearly dominant. Can’t wait to hear y’all a thoughts!

 

[CountryFlock]

Cockerel.

I don’t think pullets can even grow curved tails.

 

[EllyMac]

Cockerel.

I don’t think pullets even grow curved tails.

It’s had a curved tail since 4 weeks of that makes a difference

 

[DobieLover]

You've got two cockerels.

 

[Kabootar]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but apparently the 'supposed to be pullet' is most likely a cockerel. The saddle feathers and tail feathers are droopy and the comb is prominent.

Good luck.

 

[Kabootar]

You've got two cockerels.

You are correct.

 

[Kabootar]

But no worries, if you live in 'suburbs' and you are not allowed to be keep roosters or you already have enough roosters and you don't want to be overrun by a gang of rambunctious cockerels then you can have him caponized. It will make the bird mellow and it's meat will taste succulent and feel tender like mother's love. I always caponize my extra cockerels. My family hate roosters for dinner and call it a 'sad meal'. RIR cockerels make great capons and are easier to caponize than other breeds. Here is one of mine.

 

[Chris-n-Kate]

I think pullet. All my rir pullets had combs and wattles early, and sometimes sit funny making their tails look more like yours. I was literally convinced they were male till they all started laying eggs. However I am still new at this and could be wrong.

 

[Kabootar]

I think pullet. All my rir pullets had combs and wattles early, and sometimes sit funny making their tails look more like yours. I was literally convinced they were male till they all started laying eggs. However I am still new at this and could be wrong.

I love it when 'supposedly cockerels' turn into pullets. In my almost a decade of chicken keeping I have been fooled a number of times by my birds. However if you look carefully you will not fail to note the difference between your pullets tail and back feathers and that of the bird in question. You will also see that EllyMac's bird have some thick legs.

 

[CountryFlock]

Does anyone know if there’s a chemical castration for cockerels?